Embolic coil retrieval system

ABSTRACT

An embolic coil retrieval system for retrieving or repositioning an embolic coil within the vasculature of the human body which is comprised of a very small embolic coil retriever having a jaw member with major and minor teeth which form pockets for grasping an embolic coil when the jaw member is closed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The patent application is a divisional patent application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/252,615 filed on Sep. 23, 2002, entitled,“Embolic Coil Retrieval System” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,989,020 which is anonprovisional patent application of U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 60/335,502 filed on Nov. 15, 2001, entitled “Three Prong Z-CutCoil Retriever.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a retrieval system for retrieving of an objectwithin the vasculature of the body, and more particularly to a retrievalsystem which may be used in the removal of a medical device within ablood vessel. More specifically, the retrieval system may take the formof an embolic coil retrieval system to be used in the removal orrepositioning of embolic coils within the brain.

2. Description of the Prior Art

For many years physicians have been placing various devices within ablood vessel of the human body in order to treat an aneurysm or toocclude a vessel by promoting thrombus formation. Such devices includedilatation balloons, liquid medications, stents, and embolic coils.Embolic coils may take the form of helically wound coils, randomly woundcoils, coils wound within other coils, or many other coilconfigurations. These coils are generally formed of radiopaque metallicmaterials, such as platinum, gold, and tungsten, or alloys of thesemetals.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,857 entitled, “Stretch Resistant Embolic Coil withVariable Stiffness” discloses one such embolic coil design. The coildisclosed in this patent is a helically wound coil in which variouscombinations of adjacent turns are spot welded together to create astretch resistant coil of a preselected flexibility. U.S. Pat. No.6,183,491 entitled, “Embolic Coil Deployment System with ImprovedEmbolic Coil” discloses another coil configuration which shows anembolic coil having a relatively flexible proximal portion which resistsstretching.

Instead of placing an embolic coil within an aneurysm to prevent theflow of blood, a stent may be used to treat an aneurysm. U.S. Pat. No.6,267,783 to Robert P. Letendre, et al discloses one such stent. Thestent disclosed in this patent is a self-expanding stent which may beplaced within the parent vessel of the aneurysm and positioned over themouth of the aneurysm to block the flow of blood. Another stent aneurysmtreatment device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,361,558 entitled,“Stent Aneurysm Treatment System and Method” and assigned to the sameassignee as the present application. That patent discloses vasculaturestents of various configurations which may also be used as aneurysmcovers for occluding, or partially occluding, aneurysms located atvarious positions along blood vessels.

In certain instances an embolic coil or stent must be removed from thevessel and either repositioned or replaced. Furthermore, a stent mayrequire replacement because it has outlived its useful life. One knownprocedure for embolic coil or stent removal is surgically removing thedevice from the vessel. This method however can be time consuming andtraumatic to the patient. The development of flexible medicalinstruments has made it possible to remove embolic coils and stentsusing minimally invasive surgical procedures. U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,440entitled, “Object Retrieval Method and Apparatus” and assigned to thesame assignee as the present invention discloses one such device. Thispatent discloses an apparatus which captures a stent with twocriss-cross wire loops. These wire loops slip over a stent, and when theends of the wires are retracted the loops tighten down on the stent. Thestent is captured and withdrawn into a guide catheter.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,484 entitled, “Retractable Wire Catheter Device andMethod” discloses another apparatus which may be used to retrieve oradjust the position of a deployed vaso-occlusive device. This patentdiscloses a catheter device having a multi-jaw clamp. When the clamp isplaced over a vaso-occlusion wire, a pusher wire is retracted to closethe jaws of the clamp thereby capturing the wire for retrieval. A springjaw medical instrument is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,747 entitled,“Spring Based Multi-purpose Medical Instrument.” That apparatus, usedfor capturing an intravascular object, has a variety of jaw structuresincluding a configuration having opposing serrated surfaces for crushingan object and a configuration having a closed loop jaw suitable forgrasping an object.

Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,043 entitled, “Jaw Assembly for an EndoscopicInstrument” discloses a retrieval apparatus. This patent describes aninstrument which includes a jaw assembly having cups with radiallyarranged teeth. The jaw assembly with this knife-sharp rim is actuatedby a push/pull wire which allows physicians to obtain a multiple samplebioptome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for an improved apparatus and method for retrieving amedical device from the vasculature of the human body. Moreparticularly, there is a need for an apparatus that has a very smalldiameter and has a jaw assembly which will capture an embolic coil andhold the coil tightly until removed from the vasculature of the body.Such an apparatus could be placed in a very small microcatheter forsubsequent positioning within a vessel of the human brain. Obviously,such vessels are extremely small and very tortuous throughout theirlength.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an embolic coil retrieval system for capturing an embolic coilin a vessel of the body. The embolic coil retrieval system includes asheath which takes the form of a flexible elongated tube with a lumenextending therethrough. The sheath has a proximal section and a distalsection.

The embolic coil retrieval system also includes an embolic coilretriever having a cylindrical member with a proximal section, a distalsection, and a lumen extending therethrough. The embolic coil retrieveralso has a jaw member including a first jaw, a second jaw, and a thirdjaw. Each jaw takes the form of a longitudinal portion of an elongatedtubular member. Each jaw has a proximal end, a distal end, a firstlongitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge. The proximal ends ofthe jaws are attached to the distal section of the cylindrical member.Two of the jaws are biased outwardly away from a longitudinal axis ofthe elongated tubular member. The embolic coil retriever further has aplurality of teeth each having a base. Each tooth generally takes theform of a triangular member. The base of each tooth is attached to thejaw member.

Also, the embolic coil retrieval system includes an actuator wire havinga proximal end and a distal end. The wire is slideably disposed withinthe lumen of the sheath. The distal end of the wire is attached to theproximal section of the cylindrical member.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an embolic coil retriever for capturing an embolic coil in avessel of the body. The embolic coil retriever includes a cylindricalmember having a proximal section, a distal section, and a lumenextending therethrough. The embolic coil retriever also includes a jawmember having a first jaw, a second jaw, and a third jaw.

Each jaw takes the form of a longitudinal portion of an elongatedtubular member. Each jaw has a proximal end, a distal end, a firstlongitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge. The proximal ends ofthe jaws are attached to the distal section of the cylindrical member.Two of the jaws are biased outwardly away from a longitudinal axis ofthe elongated tubular member. Finally, the embolic coil retrieverincludes a plurality of teeth each having a base. Each tooth generallytakes the form of a triangular member. The base of each tooth isattached to the jaw member.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an embolic coil retrieval system for capturing an embolic coilin a vessel of the body. The embolic coil retrieval system includes asheath which takes the form of a flexible elongated tube with a lumenextending therethrough. The sheath has a proximal section and a distalsection.

The embolic coil retrieval system also includes an embolic coilretriever having a cylindrical member with a proximal section, a distalsection, and a lumen extending therethrough. The embolic coil retrieveralso includes a jaw member having a first jaw and a second jaw. Each jawtakes the form of a semicylindrical portion of an elongated tubularmember. Each jaw has a proximal end, a distal end, a first longitudinaledge, and a second longitudinal edge. The proximal ends of the jaws areattached to the distal section of the cylindrical member. One of thejaws is biased outwardly away from a longitudinal axis of the elongatedtubular member. The embolic coil retriever further includes a pluralityof teeth each having a base. Each tooth generally takes the form of atriangular member. The base of each tooth is attached to the jaw member.

Also, the embolic coil retriever system includes an actuator wire havinga proximal end and a distal end. The wire is slideably disposed withinthe lumen of the sheath. The distal end of the wire is attached to theproximal section of the cylindrical member.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an embolic coil retriever for capturing an embolic coil in avessel of the body. The embolic coil retriever includes a cylindricalmember having a proximal section, a distal section, and a lumenextending therethrough. The embolic coil retriever also includes a jawmember having a first jaw and a second jaw. Each jaw takes the form of asemicylindrical portion of an elongated tubular member.

Each jaw has a proximal end, a distal end, a first longitudinal edge,and a second longitudinal edge. The proximal ends of the jaws areattached to the distal section of the cylindrical member. One of thejaws is biased outwardly away from a longitudinal axis of the elongatedtubular member. Finally, the embolic coil retriever includes a pluralityof teeth each having a base. Each tooth generally takes the form of atriangular member. The base of each tooth is attached to the jaw member.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a medical device retrieval system for capturing a medicaldevice in a vessel of the body. The medical device retrieval systemincludes a sheath which takes the form of a flexible elongated tube witha lumen extending therethrough. The sheath has a proximal section and adistal section.

The medical device retrieval system also includes a medical deviceretriever including a cylindrical member having a proximal section, adistal section, and a lumen extending therethrough. The medical deviceretriever also includes a jaw member having a first jaw and a secondjaw. Each jaw takes the form of a semicylindrical portion of anelongated tubular member. Each jaw has a proximal end, a distal end, afirst longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge. The proximalends of the jaws are attached to the distal section of the cylindricalmember. One of the jaws is biased outwardly away from a longitudinalaxis of the elongated tubular member. The medical device retrieverfurther includes a plurality of teeth each having a base. Each toothgenerally takes the form of a triangular member. The base of each toothis attached to the jaw member.

In addition, the medical device retrieval system includes an actuatorwire having a proximal end and a distal end. The wire is slideablydisposed within the lumen of the sheath. The distal end of the wire isattached to the proximal section of the cylindrical member.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a medical device retriever for capturing a medical device ina vessel of the body. The medical device retriever includes acylindrical member having a proximal section, a distal section, and alumen extending therethrough. The medical device retriever also includesa jaw member having a first jaw and a second jaw.

Each jaw takes the form of a semicylindrical portion of an elongatedtubular member. Each jaw has a proximal end, a distal end, a firstlongitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge. The proximal ends ofthe jaws are attached to the distal section of the cylindrical member.One of the jaws is biased outwardly away from a longitudinal axis of theelongated tubular member. In addition, the medical device retrieverincludes a plurality of teeth each having a base. Each tooth generallytakes the form of a triangular member. The base of each tooth isattached to the jaw member.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the teethtake the form of major teeth each having an obtuse angle and a base.Each major tooth takes the form of a generally obtuse triangular member.The base of each major tooth has a proximal end and a distal end and isattached to the jaw member. The obtuse angle of each major tooth islocated at the proximal end of the base of each major tooth. Inaddition, the teeth take the form of minor teeth each having a base.Each minor tooth takes the form of a generally acute triangular member.The base of each minor tooth is attached to the jaw member.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, theteeth take the form of minor teeth each having a base and major teetheach having an obtuse angle and a base. Each major tooth takes the formof a generally obtuse triangular member. The base of each major toothhas a proximal end and a distal end and is attached to the jaw member.The obtuse angle of each major tooth is located at the proximal end ofthe base of the major tooth. Each minor tooth takes the form of agenerally acute triangular member. The base of each minor tooth isattached to the jaw member.

In accordance with a similar aspect of the present invention, the firstlongitudinal edge and second longitudinal edge of each jaw include apattern of alternating major teeth and minor teeth. Each major tooth isgenerally aligned with a minor tooth on an adjacent longitudinal edge ofan adjacent jaw, and each minor tooth is generally aligned with a majortooth on an adjacent longitudinal edge of an adjacent jaw. The patternforms a plurality of pockets. The pockets are gaps between the majorteeth and minor teeth on the longitudinal edges of the jaws.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, theretriever includes a longitudinal leg having a proximal end and a distalend. The proximal end of the longitudinal leg is attached to the distalend of one of the jaws. The longitudinal leg may include a radiopaquemarker. In addition, the retriever may include a high density metalliccoating and may be formed from a single elongated cylinder.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an embolic coil retriever for capturing an embolic coil in avessel of the body. The embolic coil retriever includes a cylindricalmember having a proximal section, a distal section, and a lumenextending therethrough. The embolic coil retriever also includes a jawmember having a first jaw and a second jaw.

Each jaw takes the form of a semicylindrical portion of an elongatedtubular member. Each jaw has a proximal end, a distal end, a firstlongitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge. The proximal ends ofthe jaws are attached to the distal section of the cylindrical member.One of the jaws is biased outwardly away from a longitudinal axis of theelongated tubular member. Finally, the embolic coil retriever includes aplurality of teeth attached to said jaw member. Each tooth has a baseand a tip. The base of each tooth is attached to the jaw member.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the teethtake the form of major teeth. Each major tooth has a base and a tip. Thebase of each major tooth is attached to the jaw member. The tip of eachmajor tooth extends in a direction proximal to the base. In addition,the teeth may take the form of minor teeth. Each minor tooth has a baseand a tip. The base of each minor tooth is attached to the jaw member.The tip of each minor tooth extends normal to the base.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the teethtake the form of minor teeth and major teeth. Each major tooth has abase and a tip. The base of each major tooth is attached to the jawmember. The tip of each major tooth extends in a direction proximal tothe base. Each minor tooth has a base and a tip. The base of each minortooth is attached to the jaw member. The tip of each minor tooth extendsnormal to the base.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, thefirst longitudinal edge and second longitudinal edge of the first jawand second jaw include a pattern of alternating major teeth and minorteeth. Each major tooth is generally aligned with a minor tooth on anadjacent longitudinal edge of an adjacent jaw, and each minor tooth isgenerally aligned with a major tooth on an adjacent longitudinal edge ofan adjacent jaw. The pattern forms a plurality of pockets. The pocketsare gaps between the major teeth and minor teeth on the longitudinaledges of the jaws.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method for capturing an embolic coil or a medical device in avessel of the body. The method includes the step of providing an emboliccoil retrieval system or medical device retrieval system including asheath, an embolic coil retriever or medical device retriever having acylindrical member, a jaw member including a first jaw, a second jaw,and a third attached to the cylindrical member, a plurality of teethattached to the jaw member, and an actuator wire attached to thecylindrical member.

The method also includes the step of inserting the embolic coilretrieval system or medical device retrieval system into the vasculatureof the human body then pushing the actuator wire distally through thesheath causing the embolic coil retriever or medical device retriever toexit a distal end of the sheath thereby allowing the jaws of the emboliccoil retriever or medical device retriever to open. The method furtherincludes moving the embolic coil retriever or medical device retrieverdistally to align the jaws with an embolic coil or medical device thenpushing the sheath distally causing the jaws to close around the emboliccoil or medical device. In addition, the method includes the step ofremoving the embolic coil retrieval system or medical device retrievalsystem from the vasculature of the body.

These and other aspects of the invention and the advantages thereof willbe clearly understood from the following description and drawings of apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an enlarged, sectional view of an embolic coil retrievalsystem including a sheath, an actuator wire, and an embolic coilretriever;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, perspective view of an embolic coil retrieverwith a jaw member in an open position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, perspective view of an embolic coil retrieverwith the jaw member in a closed position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the embolic coil retrieverillustrated in FIG. 3 with the embolic coil retriever being cut along alongitudinal line and flattened into a single plane;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, sectional view of the embolic coil retrievalsystem being inserted into a vessel;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, sectional view showing the actuator wire beingmoved distally causing the jaw member of the embolic coil retriever toexit the lumen of the sheath and to assume the open position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, sectional view showing the sheath being moveddistally causing the jaw member of the embolic coil retriever tore-enter the lumen of the sheath and to assume the closed positionaround the embolic coil; and,

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, sectional view showing the embolic coil retrievalsystem and the embolic coil being removed from the vessel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates an embolic coil retrieval system 10 which includes asheath 12, an actuator wire 14, and an embolic coil retriever 16. Thesheath 12 is approximately 60 inches in length and is preferably formedof a polymer material with a durometer in the range of about 50 D and 80D. The outside diameter of the sheath 12 is about 0.038 inches while thelumen 18 of the sheath 12 has a diameter of approximately 0.021 inches.The actuator wire 14 is approximately 70 inches in length and ispreferably made from a metallic material. The diameter of the actuatorwire 14 is less than the diameter of the lumen 18 of the sheath 12 sothat the actuator wire 14 may slide within the lumen 18 of the sheath12. The embolic coil retriever 16 is laser cut from a nickel-titaniumalloy tube and is attached to the distal end 20 of the actuator wire 14.

FIG. 2 illustrates the embolic coil retriever 16 in a normally openconfiguration. The embolic coil retriever 16 includes a cylindricalmember 22 with a lumen 24 (not shown), a proximal section 26, and distalsection 28. The cylindrical member 22 is approximately 0.040 inches inlength and is preferably formed from a nickel-titanium alloy. Theoutside diameter of the cylindrical member 22 is about 0.018 incheswhile the diameter of the lumen 24 is approximately 0.012 inches. Thereare attachment holes 30 in the wall 32 of the cylindrical member 22which allow the distal end 20 of the actuator wire 14 to be attachedwithin the lumen 24 of the cylindrical member 22.

Attached to the distal section 28 of the cylindrical member 22 is anelongated tubular member 34 which is approximately 0.12 inches in lengthand is also preferably made from a nickel-titanium alloy. The outsidediameter of the elongated tubular member 34 and the diameter of thelumen 36 (not shown) of the tubular member 34 are generally the same asthe cylindrical member 22. A jaw member 38 is formed from the elongatedtubular member 24. Preferably, the jaw member 38 is laser cut from theelongated tubular member 34. The jaw member 38 includes a first jaw 40,a second jaw 42, and a third jaw 44 where each jaw 40, 42, and 44 takesthe form of a longitudinal portion of the elongated tubular member 34.Each jaw 40, 42, and 44 has a distal end 48, a proximal end 50, a firstlongitudinal edge 52, and a second longitudinal edge 54. The distal ends48 of the jaws 40, 42, and 44 are biased outwardly such that the distalends 48 are approximately 0.008 inches from the longitudinal axis of theelongated tubular member 34.

The first jaw 40, second jaw 42, and third jaw 44 include longitudinallegs 56 having a proximal end 58 and a distal end 60. The proximal ends58 of the longitudinal legs 56 are attached to the distal ends 48 of thejaws 40, 42, and 44. The longitudinal legs 56 are approximately 0.002inches in length and may include a radiopaque marker 62 for use duringfluoroscopic visualization. Preferably, the longitudinal legs 56 arelaser cut from the elongated tubular member 34. Attached to the firstlongitudinal edges 52 and second longitudinal edges 54 of the jaws 40,42, and 44 are teeth 66. These teeth 66 are described in more detail inthe description of FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 illustrates the embolic coil retriever 16 in a closedconfiguration. The overall length of the embolic coil retriever 16 inthe closed position is approximately 0.16 inches. The cylindrical member22 includes attachment holes 30 (one shown) for the actuator wire 14.The elongated tubular member 34 which takes the form of a jaw member 38is attached to the distal section 28 of the cylindrical member 22. Thejaw member 38 includes a first jaw 40, a second jaw 42, and a third jaw44. As can be appreciated, each jaw 40, 42, and 44 takes the form of alongitudinal portion of the elongated tubular member 34. At the distalends 48 of the jaws 40, 42, and 44, longitudinal legs 56 are attachedwhich may include radiopaque markers 62. Each jaw 40, 42, and 44 of thejaw member 38 includes teeth 66 attached to the first longitudinal edge52 and second longitudinal edge 54. This configuration of the teeth 66is described below.

FIG. 4 illustrates the teeth 66 of the embolic coil retriever 16. Theteeth 66 generally take the form of triangular members each having abase 68 attached to a longitudinal edge 52 and 54 of a jaw 40, 42, and44. Preferably, the teeth 66 are laser cut from the elongated tubularmember 34. The teeth 66 may take the form of major teeth 70 which aregenerally obtuse triangular members having an obtuse angle 74 and a base76. The base 76 of each major tooth 70 has a proximal end 78 and adistal end 80. The obtuse angle 74 of each major tooth 70 is located atthe proximal end 78 of the base 76. The teeth 66 may also take the formof minor teeth 82 which are generally acute triangular members having abase 86. The base 86 of each minor tooth 82 is attached to alongitudinal edge 52 and 54 of a jaw 40, 42, and 44.

The configuration of the teeth 66 shown in FIG. 4 includes a combinationof major teeth 70 and minor teeth 82. There is a pattern of alternatingmajor teeth 70 and minor teeth 82 along the longitudinal edges 52 and 54of each jaw 40, 42, and 44. In addition, each major tooth 70 isgenerally aligned with a minor tooth 82 on an adjacent longitudinal edge52 and 54 of an adjacent jaw 40, 42, and 44, and each minor tooth 82 isgenerally aligned with a major tooth 70 on an adjacent longitudinal edge52 and 54 of an adjacent jaw 40, 42, and 44. This pattern forms aplurality of pockets 88 which are gaps between the major teeth 70 andthe minor teeth 82 on the longitudinal edges 52 and 54 of the jaws 40,42, and 44. Each pocket 88 is approximately 0.015 inches wide and 0.015inches tall. However, the size of the pocket 88 may be varied so as togenerally match the size of the pockets 88 with the size of the emboliccoil 90 being retrieved.

FIGS. 5 through 8 illustrate a preferred method of using the emboliccoil retrieval system 10 to capture an embolic coil 90. In FIG. 5, theembolic coil retrieval system 10 is inserted into the vasculature 92 ofthe human body. The embolic coil retriever 16 is attached to theactuator wire 14 and is disposed within the lumen 18 of the sheath 12.The embolic coil retrieval system 10 is moved distally towards theembolic coil 90 to be retrieved. FIG. 6 shows the actuator wire 14 beingmoved distally causing the embolic coil retriever 16 to exit the lumen18 of the sheath 12 thereby causing the jaws 40, 42, and 44 of the jawmember 38 of the embolic coil retriever 16 to assume a normally openposition. The jaw member 38 in the open position is aligned with theembolic coil 90 to be retrieved.

In FIG. 7, the sheath 12 is moved distally causing the jaws 40, 42, and44 of the embolic coil retriever 16 to assume a closed position aroundthe embolic coil 90. The embolic coil 90 is captured within the pockets88 formed by the gaps between the alternating major teeth 70 and minorteeth 82 on the jaws 40, 42, and 44. FIG. 8 illustrates the embolic coilretrieval system 10 and the embolic coil 90 being removed from thevasculature of the body. As the embolic coil retrieval system 10 ismoved proximally, the embolic coil 90 is held within the pockets 88 andis wedged behind major teeth 70 thereby preventing the embolic coil 90from falling out of the jaw member 38.

A novel system has been disclosed in which an embolic coil retrievalsystem is introduced into the vasculature of the human body forretrieval of an embolic coil. Although a preferred embodiment of theinvention has been described, it is to be understood that variousmodifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the scope of the present invention.

For example, there may be variations to the jaw member of the emboliccoil retriever. The jaw member may include four or more jaws formed froman elongated tubular member. Each jaw may be a longitudinal portion ofthe elongated tubular member. In another alternative construction, theembolic coil retriever may be covered with a high density metalliccoating, like gold. This coating may provide enhanced reflection duringfluoroscopic visualization.

In still another alternative construction, the pockets formed by themajor teeth and minor teeth along the longitudinal edges of the jaws mayvary in size. For example, at the distal end of the jaw member thepockets may be small for capturing small embolic coils, but pockets maygradually become larger towards the proximal end of the jaw member forcapturing larger embolic coils. This construction would allow physiciansto use one jaw member configuration for capturing various sized emboliccoils.

Finally, the embolic coil retriever may be used for capturing othermedical devices such as dilation balloons or stents.

These and other modifications would be apparent to those having ordinaryskill in the art to which this invention relates and are intended to bewithin the scope of the claims which follow.

1. A method for capturing an embolic coil in a vessel of the body, saidmethod comprising the steps of: providing an embolic coil retrievalsystem comprising a sheath and an embolic coil retriever comprising acylindrical member, a jaw member including a first jaw with a firstlongitudinal edge, a second jaw with a second longitudinal edge, and athird jaw with a third longitudinal edge, wherein the first, second andthird jaws are attached to said cylindrical member, a plurality of teethattached to said jaw member, and an actuator wire attached to saidcylindrical member, and wherein said longitudinal edges of said firstjaw, said second jaw, and said third jaw comprise a pattern ofalternating major teeth and minor teeth, the major and minor teeth ofone jaw cooperating with the major and teeth of an adjacent jaw todefine a plurality of gaps between said major teeth and said minor teethon said longitudinal edges of said jaws when the jaws are in a closedposition; inserting said embolic coil retrieval system into thevasculature of the human body; pushing said actuator wire distallythrough said sheath causing said embolic coil retriever to exit a distalend of said sheath thereby allowing said jaws of said embolic coilretriever to open; moving said embolic coil retriever distally to alignsaid jaws of said embolic coil retriever with an embolic coil; pushingsaid sheath distally causing said jaws of said embolic coil retriever toclose around said embolic coil; and, removing said embolic coilretrieval system from a vessel of the body.
 2. A method for capturing amedical device in a vessel of the body, said method comprising the stepsof: providing a medical device retrieval system comprising a sheath, amedical device retriever comprising a cylindrical member, a jaw memberincluding a first jaw with a first longitudinal edge, a second jaw witha second longitudinal edge, and a third jaw with a third longitudinaledge, wherein the first, second and third jaws are attached to saidcylindrical member, a plurality of teeth attached to said jaw member,and an actuator wire attached to said cylindrical member, and whereinsaid longitudinal edges of said first jaw, said second jaw, and saidthird jaw comprise a pattern of alternating major teeth and minor teeth,the major and minor teeth of one jaw cooperating with the major andteeth of an adjacent jaw to define a plurality of gaps between saidmajor teeth and said minor teeth on said longitudinal edges of said jawswhen the jaws are in a closed position; inserting said medical deviceretrieval system into the vasculature of the human body; pushing saidactuator wire distally through said sheath causing said medical deviceretriever to exit a distal end of said sheath thereby allowing said jawsof said medical device retriever to open; moving said medical deviceretriever distally to align said jaws of said medical device retrieverwith a medical device; pushing said sheath distally causing said jaws ofsaid medical device retriever to close around said medical device; and,removing said medical device retrieval system from a vessel of the body.